Gender differences in asthmatic children

According to literature, female asthmatic patients show more severe asthma with lower level of lung function. Aim of our study is to assess gender differences in host and environmental characteristics and in asthma severity level among patients followed within the IBIM Pulmonary and Allergy Pediatric Clinic. A series of asthmatic patients (September 2011 - May 2013) were investigated through standardized questionnaire and spirometry. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS release 19. Preliminary results refer to 154 patients: 94 males (M) (61.03%) and 60 females (F) (38.97%); age (years): 8.95 ± 2.8 M vs 8.88 ± 2.7 F; maternal history of asthma: 25.5% M vs 16.7% F (p<0.053); exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy:14.9% M vs 5% F (p<0.06); exposure to pets - in the first life year 16% M vs 6.7% F (p<0.09), - current: 29.8% M vs 10% F (p<0.004); BMI (Kg/m2):19.90 ± 4.96 M vs 18.15 ± 3.62 F (p<0.020); being overweight: 52.1% M vs 31.7% F (p<0.012); asthma severity level: intermittent, 58.5% M vs 43.3% F (p<0.067); severe, 5.3% M vs 15% F (p<0.042); FEV1 (%Pred) 95.22 ± 15.42 M vs 89.99 ± 17.96 F (p<0.062); FVC (%Pred) 99.38 ± 16.53 M vs 93.65 ± 16.13 F (p<0.040); impact on quality of life (PAQLQ): 5.30 ± 1.05 M vs 5.67 ± 0.86 F (p<0.095); alteration of sleep quality: 2.12 ± 2.26 M vs 1.22 ± 1.35 F (p<0.044). In conclusion, we have confirmed in a consecutive series of patients that there are gender differences in asthma characteristics in children. Further analyses on a larger series of pediatric patients are needed in order to assess the impact of gender differences on asthma management.